With the demise of the Mitsubishi Mirage and Nissan Versa, the days of the sub-$20,000 new car are well and truly over. In their place are a brace of subcompact SUVs that may cost a little more but also tend to come with a few more features. As of writing, the Chevrolet Trax is the cheapest Chevrolet currently on sale and is undercut only by the Hyundai Venue in base price.
However, it is far from a bare-bones budget ride. In fact, it is one of the best subcompact SUVs on sale, and we decided to see how much car you actually get for just $21,700 (before taxes) and whether spending a little more and getting one of its larger stablemates might still be a better option.
The Chevrolet Trax
Chevrolet
Chevrolet
Cole Attisha
- Model Years: 2024 on
- Rivals: Hyundai Venue, Nissan Kicks
Remember when a budget-priced new car meant wind-up windows, no A/C and a blank plastic plate where the radio would go? Ok, neither do we, but the point is that cheap cars used to be just that, cheap, and usually nasty. The Chevrolet Trax is far from nasty, and even in base LS trim you get a comprehensive suite of active and passive driver aids like lane keep assist, forward collision alert, and lane departure warning. Apple CarPlay and Android Auto are also standard, and regardless of trim level you get a 137-hp 1.2-liter turbocharged gas engine that sends power through a six-speed automatic (no drone prone CVT here) to the front wheels.
The new Trax was launched in 2024, and is now longer than before, which benefits rear passenger space. It’s finished in materials you would refer to as hard-wearing and functional. Sure there are plenty of hard plastics, but this is expected at this price point. The available digital dashboard and infotainment screens would not have looked out of place in far pricier cars from just a few years back, and are very much like the setups used in higher-spec Chevy models as well.
The Chevrolet Trax in Detail
Cole Attisha
Cole Attisha
Cole Attisha
| Chevy Trax | LS (base Trim) |
| Base MSRP | $21,700 |
| Engine | 1.2L Turbo 3-Cylinder |
| Power | 137 hp |
| Torque | 162 lb-ft |
| Transmission | 6-speed Automatic |
| (City / Hwy / Combined) | 28 / 32 / 30 MPG |
| 0-60 mph | 8.8 seconds est |
The Trax is available in five different trim levels, as opposed to just two for the previous generation. All use the same 1.2-liter turbocharged three-cylinder engine mated to a six-speed automatic transmission. Now 137-hp is not a lot, and you certainly get reminded of that every time you attempt an enthusiastic overtake, but the conventional torque-converter transmission is less annoying than a CVT, and the Trax is perfectly capable of dealing with city driving scenarios.
Chevrolet
The older model actually made 155-hp, which gave it slightly better acceleration, but neither is a performance vehicle, and the Trax still offers enough pep for daily driving duties. Bear in mind, that the Trax’s closest rivals offer similar levels of power and performance, so speed is not an option at this end of the market. However, thanks to its relatively small dimensions and light curb weight, the Trax handles more like a car than an SUV, which is a good thing.
Here is the inverted price table updated with two of the most significant, definitive feature upgrades that each trim level introduces over the base model:
| Trim Level | Base MSRP | Notable Features |
| LS | $21,700 | • 8-inch infotainment touchscreen • Wireless Apple CarPlay & Android Auto |
| 1RS | $23,200 | • Heated front seats & heated flat-bottom steering wheel • Sporty RS grille with 18-inch machined aluminum wheels |
| LT | $23,200 | • Upgraded 11-inch touchscreen & 8-inch digital gauge cluster • Automatic climate control & remote vehicle starter |
| 2RS | $25,400 | • 19-inch machined aluminum wheels • Evotex synthetic leather seats with red interior accents |
| ACTIV | $25,400 | • 8-way power adjustable driver’s seat with power lumbar support • Rugged black 18-inch wheels with titanium chrome exterior accents |
While there are five trim levels on offer, there is no need to go for the top spec models, as this negates the value proposition and pushes the Trax dangerously close to its larger stablemates. Stick to the RS or LT trims, and limit your option ticking to essentials like heated seats and some all-weather floor mats.
In-House Alternatives
Chevrolet
Chevrolet
Chevrolet
| Spec / Feature | Trailblazer LS FWD | Bolt LT FWD | Equinox LT FWD |
| Base MSRP | $23,300 | $27,600 | $28,800 |
| Engine / Motor | 1.2L Turbo 3-Cylinder | Single Electric Motor | 1.5L Turbo 4-Cylinder |
| Power | 137 hp | 210 hp | 175 hp |
| Torque | 162 lb-ft | 242 lb-ft | 203 lb-ft |
| Transmission | Continuously Variable (CVT) | 1-speed Direct Drive | Continuously Variable (CVT) |
| (City / Hwy / Combined) | 28 / 32 / 30 MPG | 262 miles of range | 26 / 28 / 27 MPG |
| 0-60 mph Time | 9.0 seconds est | 6.8 seconds est | 8.5 seconds est |
The SUV market is ultra-competitive, and this makes for very well-priced and specced offerings from several manufacturers. It also means that some manufacturers, like Chevrolet, have tried to fill every SUV niche, resulting in models that can overlap in specifications, size and pricing.
The Trailblazer, for example, is just $1,600 in base trim than the Trax LS, and uses the same engine, although a slightly more powerful option is also available. It can also be had with all-wheel drive (AWD), but it is actually shorter and narrower than the Trax, yet taller by a few inches. The base model gets a CVT transmission, but the more powerful 155-hp Trailblazer gets a nine-speed automatic. It’s about the same speed as the Trax regardless of which engine you pick, and posts similar fuel economy figures.
In terms of electric vehicles, the Bolt is not only the cheapest Chevy EV, but the most affordable EV period. That said, it’s still almost $6,000 pricier than the Trax, but you do get far better performance, and a relaxed and near-silent driving experience. The 262 miles of range is decent, and it comes with 150kW DC fast charging capabilities, too. If an EV fits into your life, this one is certainly worth a look.
The Chevy Equinox is one size up on the Trax, and benefits from a full redesign in 2025. It has more power, space, and tech options, but also costs a lot more. A 175-hp 1.5-liter turbocharged four-cylinder engine is standard, and you get an eight-speed automatic transmission instead of a CVT if you opt for the AWD version instead of the base FWD model. Thanks to its larger size and weight, the Equinox is not much quicker than the Trax, and fuel efficiency is slightly worse. It is the better choice if you need the extra interior space, though.
Cole Attisha
Aside from the very similar Trailblazer, the Trax is not really competing with these models, but it just goes to show that paying a bit more than the Trax’s asking price doesn’t automatically guarantee better performance in Chevy’s SUV range. It’s not often that the cheapest model in a range is preferable over its pricier siblings, but in this case, the Trax hits the spot just right.
Data Sources:
- All vehicle data, pricing figures, and technical specifications were sourced from the official manufacturer websites.
- Pricing figures represent the base manufacturer’s suggested retail price (MSRP) and exclude destination charges, and taxes.
About the author
John Tallodi
Senior Editor